Three Day Trip to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

A fun filled and educational, kid friendly trip to Colonial Williamsburg is a fantastic weekend adventure that the whole family is sure to enjoy. Colonial Williamsburg is located in the historic triangle near Richmond, Virginia and includes the nearby attractions of Youngstown, Jamestown and Bush Gardens. Woodland's Lodge offers a variety of packages to meet your financial and scheduling needs. Vacation Packages are available at their website at www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com and include a number of hotel accommodations to meet your needs. There are basic, hotel like rooms as well as upgraded suites and even small cottage style houses located in the heart of the historic downtown of Colonial Williamsburg. The hotel complex offers a continental breakfast as well as a variety of tavern style and sports bar type restaurants all within walking distance. The swimming pool located behind the greeting center is also a refreshing way to relax after a full day of sightseeing. You can look at the available guest accommodations and make arrangements for your visit at http://www.history.org/visit/planYourVisit/howToGetHere/index.cfm. Some of the lodging available for your stay include:

Williamsburg Inn
Colonial Houses
Williamsburg Lodge
Woodlands Hotel
Governor's Inn

The visitor's center is conveniently located within a short walking distance of the hotel greeting center and this is where your journey back in time begins. This is where you purchase your tickets for some of the additional events and shows that are offered and is a great time to arrange for your dinner reservations at one of the many downtown taverns as well as some of the evening events that are offered. Don't forget to pick up a map while your at the visitor's center as well as a daily program that outlines the various activities that will be conducted throughout the downtown area. From the visitor's center you can take one of the many shuttles (they're air conditioned) to the historic downtown of Colonial Williamsburg or you can take the 15 minute walk. It's recommended that you take the relaxing stroll along the meandering creek at least once on your visit and this affords you the opportunity to visit the 1700's era farmstead.

Admittance to the shops and public events is free once you enter Colonial Williamsburg and there are a number of shops in town that offer snacks, sandwiches and beverages. Be prepared to visit with a number of shop keepers and tradesmen in interactive demonstrations of their crafts and goods. The characters are dressed in authentic costumes and speak in "King's English". If this is your first trip, be sure to visit the following events:

The Governor's Palace - allow one hour
Randolph House and Kitchen - allow 45 minutes
Courthouse - allow 20 minutes
Magazine - allow 30 minutes
Printing Office and Bindery - allow 20 minutes
Blacksmith - allow 30 minutes
Capitol - allow 40 minutes
The museums of Colonial Williamsburg - allow 2 hours

A dinner at one of the local taverns is a fascinating encounter with both the colorful characters and tasty cuisine of the day. This link will help you plan your dining experience http://www.history.org/visit/diningExperience/christianaCampbells/. Be sure to dine at one of the following taverns for a great meal and a pint of ale:

King's Arm
Shields Tavern
Chowning's Tavern
Christiana Campbell's

If you're not completely exhausted after your day filled with learning a new trade and shopping at one of the local shops, take advantage of the after hours entertainment. A schedule of the events can be found at this web site http://www.history.org/visit/planYourVisit/ticketPlans/. Some of the events that are available include:

Carriage Ride
Ghosts Among Us
The Lanthorn Tour
The Gun Powder Incident
Cry Witch
A pint of ale at one of the local taverns

Before you pack the car and travel down the highway back in time, take a few minutes to sit down with your family and plan out your trip. The website includes a map and a full schedule of activities that will be available during your visit at http://www.history.org/visit/whatToSeeAndDo/historicArea/itineraries.cfm. The few minutes that you take to plan your trip will pay off by ensuring that you get the most out of your visit (and help reduce the amount of walking that you will have to do). Enjoy your trip and "Long live the King"!